I do not believe Ads are inherently evil. However there are some problems with the _current_ ad industry.
The extreme tracking based on the mental state and identity of ads make them more than annoying. It is annoying to watch stupid ads on TV. But it is way worse when the ads are targeting my mental weaknesses directed directly at me. Example being how the Cambridge Analytica was able to make ad campaigns targeting _individuals_.
Generalized, non-targeted ads are fine. Though I do have problems with ads assaulting me wherever I go. I am fine with visiting a website that is ad supported and getting ads on the side, but I am not fine with walking home and seeing ads everywhere I glance at. And worse when ads are formatted so much like the actual content to trick you into thinking you're consuming content and not ads. Or even worse, sponsored pushes when you don't even know this is an advertisement.
Point is: Things cost money. Yes. But I don't think the current ad industry is anything other than toxic as hell.
The extreme tracking based on the mental state and identity of ads make them more than annoying. It is annoying to watch stupid ads on TV. But it is way worse when the ads are targeting my mental weaknesses directed directly at me. Example being how the Cambridge Analytica was able to make ad campaigns targeting _individuals_.
Generalized, non-targeted ads are fine. Though I do have problems with ads assaulting me wherever I go. I am fine with visiting a website that is ad supported and getting ads on the side, but I am not fine with walking home and seeing ads everywhere I glance at. And worse when ads are formatted so much like the actual content to trick you into thinking you're consuming content and not ads. Or even worse, sponsored pushes when you don't even know this is an advertisement.
Point is: Things cost money. Yes. But I don't think the current ad industry is anything other than toxic as hell.